Sealed with Excellence: A Tribute to Professional Engineers

Today, we recognize, appreciate and thank all the Professional Engineers around the globe who go the extra mile to keep us safe. A Professional Engineer (PE) goes further and deeper than just the two letters after their names. A PE is someone who is responsible for the safety and welfare of the public. The seal of a professional engineer is more than ink (or pixels these days); the seal means quality, responsibility, knowledge, and competency. The PE Seal is a commitment to excellence and safety.

The Journey to Professional Engineering

Becoming a PE has many requirements and steps that demonstrate dedication to the profession. The path typically includes earning an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, gaining relevant work experience under the supervision of a licensed PE, and finally passing the Professional Engineering (PE) exam. Under this rigorous process, only qualified individuals earn the right to practice engineering and protect public welfare.

Our friends at the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) have put together the path to licensure for aspiring engineers. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has this fantastic story that explains what is a PE and why it matters.

The Diverse World of Professional Engineers

At Omnant, we work with Professional Engineers all the time. A large portion of our clients, partners, staff, subcontractors and friends are PEs. What strikes us most about the PE community is their incredible diversity – not just in their specializations, but in their personalities and interests. Some of them are shy, some are extroverts, some make concrete canoes (yes, this is a thing!), some make bowling balls out of concrete (this is also a thing!), some are looking forward to jumping off a plane, others to building Legos.

Professional Engineers work across countless disciplines, from civil and structural engineering that builds our infrastructure, to environmental engineering that protects our natural resources, to geotechnical engineering that creates the solid foundations for our structures. They design the bridges we cross, the buildings where we work, the water systems that keep us healthy, and the testing protocols that verify construction materials meet safety standards. They are all different, but they all work hard every day to protect public safety and maintain quality standards.

The Impact of Professional Engineers

Every day, Professional Engineers make decisions that affect millions of lives. When you drive across a bridge, work in a high-rise building, or turn on your tap for clean water, you're benefiting from the expertise and ethical commitment of PEs. Their work often goes unnoticed because when engineering is done right, it's invisible: systems work seamlessly, structures stand strong, and communities thrive safely.

In our industry of construction materials testing, PEs play a vital role in establishing standards, reviewing test results, and verifying that the materials used in construction projects meet safety requirements. They're the ones who sign off on critical decisions, knowing their professional seal carries legal and ethical weight.

In construction materials testing laboratories, PEs oversee construction materials testing equipment calibration, review concrete testing software results, and verify field inspection protocols meet industry standards. Whether they're working with CMT engineering laboratories or managing laboratory testing and reporting systems, PEs maintain the highest standards of accuracy and compliance.

Finding Professional Engineers in Your Area

Want to know more about the professional engineers in your area? NCEES has this fantastic map that provides information about the licensing boards for every State and Territory in the US. These boards maintain registries of licensed PEs and can help you find qualified professionals for your projects.

A Final Thank You

Anyone has the potential to be an engineer, but very few are willing to take on the challenge of professional licensure and the lifelong responsibility it entails. The commitment to continuing education, ethical practice, and public service that comes with the PE license is significant. To those who do take on this challenge and carry the responsibility of protecting public health, safety, and welfare: thank you! Your dedication makes our world safer, more efficient, and more innovative every single day.